Thanks Chris and Ron for the words of encouragement,
And Chris I whole-heartedly agree that when you don't focus on a lot of the
"turf-stuff" and "professional issues" and just provide good client-centered
and occupationally focused treatment, you can't go wrong, and you tend to be
very successful and respected. This too has been my experience.
I couldn't agree more about being too attached to an identity based on
my"profession". I had a P.T. friend once tell me..."Brent, It's just a job,
just a job, don't take it so seriously." This is some simple wisdom that rings
true.
And for those of us who have been at this a while, it is our responsibility
to nuture a positive environment for those new people coming up. That's why
I've taken so many OT students over the years and even done some instruction at
the local college, I'm trying to change practices to improve the quality of OTs
coming up. To me this is at least a small part of the solution to some of the
problems we discuss on this forum.
In the bigger picture, as has been pointed out, OT is on of the fastest
growing professions in terms of demand and opportunity in the emerging economy.
What we do with that is up to us. If I look at what else I'd be doing for a
living, I can't think of anything in other industries that has such great
potential to align the philosophy of serving the public interest, and doing
good.
So I have been talked off my OT existential ledge, and the rational
and positive Dr. Jeckyl has returned, and the erratic and negative Mr. Hyde
has gone back into hiding (or has he???).
Have a great day
Brent
"In my life I've been through some terrible experiences, some of which actually
happened."
-Mark Twain
In Response to:
Brent,
Glad you are feeling better! We all have days like yours once in a
while. I have changed my perspective the past three years. I used to
get hung up on defining what my profession was and if I was making a
difference. All that led to was anxiety, overly neurotic thoughts that
other proffessions were taling over my turf (smile Ron), and a bad case
of acid reflux from the above mental health issues. The sad fact was I
built my identity around what I did for my career, and if I did not
think that all was well in my career then I was not a productive member
of society. Well, the key thing that I changed was building my
identity around my Creator. From that perspective I have learned to
serve others in the way that I would want to be treated if I were in a
hospital. That does not mean doing everything for the patient, but
doing what is best for the patient regardless of perceived turf wars,
time restraints, productivity issues,or respect of my profession.. The
ironic thing is that I now have an awesome relationship with the other
disciplines, MDs are seeking me out to work with their patients, my
productivity is fine, and I now respect my profession
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